Vitalik Buterin has urged for the implementation of Zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zk-EVMs) on the Ethereum mainnet, which would significantly improve its verification process without compromising network decentralization and security. Buterin believes that zk-EVMs would complement Ethereum’s multi-client philosophy, which supports collaborative node running with multiple teams making implementations, by enhancing scalability.
Interacting With Ethereum’s Multi-Client Philosophy
The technology involved in a zk-EVM not only generates zero-knowledge proofs but also facilitates smart contracts and application compatibility. Polygon has already integrated zk-EVMs to enhance transaction speed by aggregating several transactions into a single proof. However, Buterin expresses that zk-EVMs should be used for other purposes besides layer-2 protocols, even for Ethereum’s base layer (L1), to solve the verification problem. “Once that happens, ZK-EVMs de-facto become a third type of Ethereum client, just as important to the network’s security as execution clients and consensus clients are today,” he said.
Deploying zk-EVMs on Ethereum’s Base Layer
Buterin has outlined two possible ways zk-EVMs can be deployed on the Ethereum network while identifying potential challenges. The first one would make L1 base layer act as a clearinghouse for L2 protocols, which he admits would make the existing L1-based protocols “economically nonviable” and increase transaction fees. Alternatively, creating a type 1 zk-EVM to verify the EVM execution of an L1 Ethereum block would be more challenging, but Buterin has faith that developers would find a way to overcome them.
“With these technologies in place, the future looks very good. Ethereum blocks would be smaller than today, anyone could run a fully verifying node on their laptop or even their phone or inside a browser extension, and this would all happen while preserving the benefits of Ethereum’s multi-client philosophy,” Buterin added.
